Smile Insights: Empowering Informed Orthodontic Care

The AAO has created a helpful guide explaining how much mouthguards cost—ranging from $20 to several hundred dollars—and what factors like customization, materials, and use case can affect the price.

Advances in technology have allowed six to ten week intervals between orthodontic appointments that fit even the busiest of schedules.

The AAO’s Retainer Care Guide offers essential tips on keeping your retainer clean and well-maintained to protect both your oral health and the results of your orthodontic treatment. Proper care ensures your retainer lasts longer and keeps your smile in its ideal position.

Braces may cause a brief adjustment period, but they do not typically cause lasting speech changes. In fact, untreated orthodontic issues are more likely to lead to speech problems over time.

Orthodontic retainers are custom-made devices used after braces or aligners to maintain teeth in their new positions. Without them, teeth can gradually shift back to their original alignment.

A payment plan for orthodontic treatment may consist of a down payment with the remainder paid monthly for 12 to 24 months—often interest-free.

Mewing, a technique that has gone “viral” online, is the movement of flattening your tongue against the roof of your mouth in an attempt to define your jawline. Proponents claim it can even realign teeth and improve overall facial aesthetics. Sounds too good to be true, right?